Press - 2009

You can find some great device control solutions that are part of a larger security suite or desktop management suite, including solutions from ControlGuard, ManageEngine, NextLabs, Novell, ScriptLogic, SkyRecon; Sophos, and Symantec. But what if you want something more lightweight, with a smaller footprint?

In our decidedly unscientific research, we found over a dozen device control solutions to get you started. These are solutions that we hope (but can’t promise) you could implement right away without needing a lot of additional training or product consultation.

"ManageEngine uses a completely different strategy. It’s not open source, but rather is created in India, a geography with an advantaged cost–of–development. More than a simple "lower labor cost" play–these days, much software is developed, tested, and maintained in low–labor–cost localities–ManageEngine uses what I think of as an agile blitzkrieg development methodology which allows it to create or extend functions very rapidly. This technique is what ManageEngine’s better–known sister brand, Zoho, has used to quickly build–out several dozen Software–as a–Service web apps. ManageEngine’s interfaces are similarly presented as rich web apps."

ManageEngine flies into cloud computing – at $5 a month per device

"It is a perfect fit for a new business," Rajesh Ganesan, director of managed services at ManageEngine, told me. "You pay for what you use at $5 a device. 100 devices means $500 a month. It is outsourced to experts." (However, he added that there would be additional charging for higher bandwidth and storage usage.)

For years, IT managers have supported the goal of BSM (mapping infrastructure components to the business services they support), but the expensive software – and even more expensive, months–long implementations and staff trainings – left many feeling BSM was out of reach."

"For its part, ManageEngine announced the beta availability of ManageEngine IT360. The software includes an integrated and ITIL compatible service desk, with features ranging from an automated trouble ticketing system to incident management capabilities and a knowledgebase. The company says its IT360 also helps IT manage the end–user experience and enables administrators to meet their SLAs."

Interesting Links for April 6th by Doug McClure

"ManageEngine, which provides network, systems, applications and security management solutions, reportedly released the beta version of the ManageEngine IT360 integrated business service management solution that enables businesses to manage infrastructure management with business operations."

"BSM solutions are supposed to help IT managers map infrastructure components to the business services. However, the current BSM solutions are either too expensive or hard to implement, notes officials at ManageEngine"

"I classify ManageEngine’s IT360 product as a Hybrid BSM solution in that its focus is much more than pure play BSM. IT360 is built upon AdventNet’s strong heritage of building solid products in the ITSM space for the past 10 years, mainly going to market in the OEM space."

"IT managers are generally in favor of the goal of BSM (mapping infrastructure components to the business services they support), but the expensive software, implementations and staff trainings –– left many feeling BSM was out of reach. ManageEngine IT360 is "designed to offer the benefits of BSM," company officials say, "starting with the business-centric views illustrating the way in which business services are affected when IT resources are underperforming or unavailable," but "without the cost or the headaches."

Making Sense of Network and Systems Management Data by Paul Korzeniowski

"ManageEngine is one in a growing number of vendors that has been trying to develop management tools for small and medium companies. Products from traditional vendors, such as CA, HP, and IBM, have often been too complicated and too expensive for these businesses. Recently, competitors have taken various approaches, such as relying on open source systems and even basing their revenue on advertising based models, to deliver such products."

"This is hardly a complete offering, but word from them is that eventually the entire breadth of ManageEngine’s functionality will be offered "On–Demand." More dramatic is the pricing: $5/node/month. That pricing may change after the 30 day trial currently in effect (hence, no need to charge anyone for at least 30 days), but it’s a good indication of how cheap MangeEngine wants to keep things. That’s very "affordable," as my wife always reminds me I should say."

"ManageEngine recently announced a beta test for OpManager OnDemand, a software as a service (SaaS) version of its systems management tools for monitoring servers and networks. The new offering gives customers a Web-based console to monitor a wide swath of their IT infrastructure, while eliminating the need to install software, provision servers, and pay big upfront license fees. Over the coming months, the company plans to deliver more of its IT management tools via SaaS, including possibly its relatively deep System i monitoring capabilities."

"ManageEngine, makers of a globally renowned suite of cost effective network, systems and security management software solutions, today announced it is making its family of applications available in the Software–as–a–Service (SaaS) model, beginning with OpManager On–Demand, an integrated network and systems management suite. Throughout the year, ManageEngine will continue rolling–out SaaS versions of its complete family of popular management applications, which today are used by more than 35,000 companies around the world."

"It is a perfect fit for a new business," Rajesh Ganesan, director of managed services at ManageEngine, told me. "You pay for what you use at $5 a device. 100 devices means $500 a month. It is outsourced to experts." (However, he added that there would be additional charging for higher bandwidth and storage usage.)

"Quick, name a company in the managed services market that successfully competes against Google Apps, Salesforce.com and Microsoft – all at the same time. Before you answer, consider this name: AdventNet – which owns Zoho (SaaS applications) and ManageEngine (managed services software). Take a closer look, and you’ll discover Zoho and ManageEngine are cross–leveraging their technologies."

ManageEngine looks to SaaS delivery

ManageEngine also owns the Zoho office, collaboration, and CRM services, and the company is hoping to tap into similar success with its array of network management products. Girish Mathrubootham, a vice president at ManageEngine, said that Zoho passed the 1 million users milestone last year and "is still seeing more and more people come onboard every day."

ManageEngine is beginning a transformation this week to offer network management tools SaaS–style.

The company took its first step down the software–as–service path with a free beta of OpManager On–Demand, a service that enables customers to manage servers, desktops, and applications just as they would with the company’s on–premise application.